#jackb1- I use VS and RPM blast at 58 and I find it to be very soft feeling but also it takes some of the power out of my PDR. Just wondering why most guys are goin with the PD as a posed to the PDR. I am thinking of having both but I do not want a racket that is too light and has lots of plow through.

just thought of another string that might be a good choice for the PD...Head FXP Tour. Soft and control oriented. I think it has some poly in there too. Might be similar to NXT Control? It was too mushy and muted in my Instinct, but might be a good fit for the Pure Drive?

Click to expand...

I have fxp tour in one of my pds right now. I like it, and at first I thought I had found a replacement for my alu power poly. But Ive gone back to alu power. Actually went to the shop today, between matches to get another pd2012 strung with it (traded in my Juice) . Ive compared them side by side, and to me the alu wins kver the fxp tou. Ive heard all of power players and others reasons why I shouldn't and don't need to be using poly and I am sure they are valid, however I personally have yet to find another string I like as well, in any racquet. And I am not a string breaker. I don't care, I like it and knock on wood do not have arm problems. I find the poly at a low tension just as comfortable and I like the feel. I am convinced arm issues are just as much or more related to how you swing then anything else because I have used soft racquets with soft strings and felt pain in my elbow by swinging improperly.

It might not be for you, but I get more control, more spin, a heavier Ball, and just as much comfort out of Alu Power at 54 LBS. I think that is the same tension dgdavid is using.

There is nothing wrong with liking ALU power. It is probably the best string of all time. It just dies really fast so using it past 8 hours is a huge risk that builds over time. You just have to be careful, and you could have the best swing ever but dead poly will still get you at some point.

I'd love to get back to full poly at one point because I like what I can do to the ball with it, but it ends up costing me more than rip control since i change it out every week.

It's not a debate for me, but a lot of people will read this thread and then start complaining their arm hurts from the racquet because they used full poly.

I'd recommend starting out with a softer song for anyone who is new to this racquet.

There is nothing wrong with liking ALU power. It is probably the best string of all time. It just dies really fast so using it past 8 hours is a huge risk that builds over time. You just have to be careful, and you could have the best swing ever but dead poly will still get you at some point.

I'd love to get back to full poly at one point because I like what I can do to the ball with it, but it ends up costing me more than rip control since i change it out every week.

It's not a debate for me, but a lot of people will read this thread and then start complaining their arm hurts from the racquet because they used full poly.

I'd recommend starting out with a softer song for anyone who is new to this racquet.

Click to expand...

I know you're right and I agree, your recommendations for this racquet is the smart way to go. I've been lucky I'm sure, but that's an advantage to being a racquetholic, you never own the same racquet or strings for more then 8 hours of use!

What do you think about the full bed of 7? I'm thinking of trying that after Tour Bite.

Click to expand...

DrewRafter, You must try it. It has very good control spin and power. The top spin serve is crazy. I can also flat it with this string when I need it. If you play a lot of single, BHB7 is the one. For double, I like the hybrid a little bit more/the volley. I may go for 54 full bed the next time. How is the tour bite on this PDR? What tension do you like the best? I still have a set 1.20 that I am going to try next. I've used to have the tour bite on my previous racket (prestige MP at 52) and I like it very much.

Are all of you PD users pure baseline bashers? I hang at the baseline a lot but also mix in some all court game. I use lots of droppers and plays lots of dubs too. I am worried that the PD may not have enough touch and feel for me. But my Warrior is supposed to be the same class of racquet and I have no problems at all with touch shots, so I hope my worries are not warranted.

Are all of you PD users pure baseline bashers? I hang at the baseline a lot but also mix in some all court game. I use lots of droppers and plays lots of dubs too. I am worried that the PD may not have enough touch and feel for me. But my Warrior is supposed to be the same class of racquet and I have no problems at all with touch shots, so I hope my worries are not warranted.

Click to expand...

Jack, Warrior is better for drop shots for me especially those little backhand ones as you run in. I need to adjust still though. Slice is a little floaty for me too but again, might be a fine level of adjustment. About to play a Box League match with the PD in hand for the first time (all others with Prestige or Warrior).

I can hit drop shots and lobs just fine with the pd. you can play any style with it.

Click to expand...

I agree, my own comment is based on the relative strength vs the Warrior on drops - Warrior edges it for me but nothing in it.

Still liking the PD a lot. I don't think the PD has an actual weakness. I made a statement on the Warrior thread that I liked it because it was like a B+ in all areas. By comparison, the PD (for me anyway) is an A in a lot of areas (forehand, serve, return) and at least a B+ elsewhere (still getting used to lower plow through on BH slice with this category of rackets). I suspect my opinion of the PD will improve further from that in time. Both are damn fine rackets but PD is half a notch up in enough areas for it to be decisive.

ps. had my best ever win tonight with the PD. 4-6, 7-5, 6-2 against a player I was given no chance against...

DrewRafter, You must try it. It has very good control spin and power. The top spin serve is crazy. I can also flat it with this string when I need it. If you play a lot of single, BHB7 is the one. For double, I like the hybrid a little bit more/the volley. I may go for 54 full bed the next time. How is the tour bite on this PDR? What tension do you like the best? I still have a set 1.20 that I am going to try next. I've used to have the tour bite on my previous racket (prestige MP at 52) and I like it very much.

Click to expand...

I tried a full set of 16L Tour Bite today. I strung it up too high though. Felt solid but I strung it up at 47/45 and probably went five pounds too high. I figure the next time I play the tension will have dropped enough for me to like it a bit better. I'm still looking for a string to wow me in this racquet. Twisted Razor and Typhoon were awesome in my APDC+'s but I didn't care for the Razor in the Black Drive+. I'm going to drop the tension in the next racquet I string then I'm going to try BHB7. I'm thinking I'll order it, Blue Typhoon, and maybe B5E or the PLII Evo to try.

On a side note, lead at 12 is the way to go on this thing. I'm at 329 grams and it's perfect. I've been able to click with all aspects of my game with this stick. The stability is excellent compared to the APDC+ that I came from. I've always put a good swing on the ball and this Black Drive+ certainly doesn't make me miss the hollow feel of the APDC+.

Are all of you PD users pure baseline bashers? I hang at the baseline a lot but also mix in some all court game. I use lots of droppers and plays lots of dubs too. I am worried that the PD may not have enough touch and feel for me. But my Warrior is supposed to be the same class of racquet and I have no problems at all with touch shots, so I hope my worries are not warranted.

Click to expand...

I play S&V and try and come to net all the time. PD was great in the sense that i manage to get weak returns on serves and that made my holding serves a bit easier. I think i hit some of the crispiest volleys with this racquet.

I am struggling a bit with the too much power on fh and a tad sloppiness (seems like a lot of racquet on the hand) on the 1hbh.

I play S&V and try and come to net all the time. PD was great in the sense that i manage to get weak returns on serves and that made my holding serves a bit easier. I think i hit some of the crispiest volleys with this racquet.

I am struggling a bit with the too much power on fh and a tad sloppiness (seems like a lot of racquet on the hand) on the 1hbh.

I tried a full set of 16L Tour Bite today. I strung it up too high though. Felt solid but I strung it up at 47/45 and probably went five pounds too high. I figure the next time I play the tension will have dropped enough for me to like it a bit better. I'm still looking for a string to wow me in this racquet. Twisted Razor and Typhoon were awesome in my APDC+'s but I didn't care for the Razor in the Black Drive+. I'm going to drop the tension in the next racquet I string then I'm going to try BHB7. I'm thinking I'll order it, Blue Typhoon, and maybe B5E or the PLII Evo to try.

On a side note, lead at 12 is the way to go on this thing. I'm at 329 grams and it's perfect. I've been able to click with all aspects of my game with this stick. The stability is excellent compared to the APDC+ that I came from. I've always put a good swing on the ball and this Black Drive+ certainly doesn't make me miss the hollow feel of the APDC+.

Click to expand...

How would you rate the comfort level of the Black Drive vs the APDC+? The APDC+ is always wearing on me one way or another, wrist, shoulder, neck. The new PD felt much more solid/cushy when I hit for 20 minutes but I wonder if in the long run it would be the same. What's your experience?

Well, I have played with the PDR. The racket is great, I have control and power in full measure. I agree that the paintjob is the best of all time and versions, as well as the racket. And it provides much spin. As I play on clay courts, it is a dream!

#Aril hawk_ I bought my regular size #3 grip but took off that spongy syntax grip for a leather one. The racket seems to be a true fit with this. So you are on the right track but I wouldn't down size it unless you are prepared to add a couple layers to it.

#Aril hawk_ I bought my regular size #3 grip but took off that spongy syntax grip for a leather one. The racket seems to be a true fit with this. So you are on the right track but I wouldn't down size it unless you are prepared to add a couple layers to it.

How many ppl are playing the reg PD compared to the PDR

Click to expand...

I have found the Babolats to be 1/2 a grip size larger than others. So if you remove the Syntec for a Skin Feel grip, it should be true to size. If you want to keep the Syntec then it might be better to go down 1 size, then to stay with your normal size.

I have found the Babolats to be 1/2 a grip size larger than others. So if you remove the Syntec for a Skin Feel grip, it should be true to size. If you want to keep the Syntec then it might be better to go down 1 size, then to stay with your normal size.

Click to expand...

That's what I did. Going to with the 1/4 and add my Supreme Grip.

With my APDGT's, I need up swapping out for skin feels and put an over grip on it. Think keeping the syntec and putting on my over grip will be about the same size.

Dg. Yes, the Pd performed wonderfully, however the user only performed very well. I was pleased. It was just a small local tournament but made it to the semis in doubles and lost to the team that won the finals. And made it to the quarters in singles and lost to the guy who ended up winning the finnals. No complaints about the racquet at all! I am finally confident that I have the one for me, and for the first time in a while I have no desire to even look at others. I'm loving the alu power by the way.

JACK, I think you will find the new Pd to be good in All areas. I no longer consider it just as a baseline basher power racquet.

got my new PD strung up tonite. Decided to go with Black Excel 17 mains and PL Evolution crosses at 58/55. The Black and blue strings looks awesome in this frame! Can't wait to try it out tomorrow

Mine came in at 325 grams with overgrip and the 3/8 with overgrip is perfect size for me. Same diameter around as my Prince 4 1/2 with overgrip. Thanks guys for the hradsup on the grip size.

Click to expand...

Proline Evolution is pretty powerful poly. strung with Excel, this should be a powerhouse combination. I would have probably strung it at 63/60. but they are both great strings. Evolution can creat massive spin.

Also try the Yonex poly tour Spin, it is Blue and it is also one of the best polys i have ever hit with.

Proline Evolution is pretty powerful poly. strung with Excel, this should be a powerhouse combination. I would have probably strung it at 63/60. but they are both great strings. Evolution can creat massive spin.

Also try the Yonex poly tour Spin, it is Blue and it is also one of the best polys i have ever hit with.

Click to expand...

I was going to go with full Xcel but thought that would be too powerful so I threw in the poly cross hybrid.

well I headed out to the courts tonite with my shiny new Pure Drive, all full of anticipation and CRAP!!!!!....STARTED RAINING AFTER 5 MINUTES!!! So disappointed! Couldn't tell too much from the approximately 20 balls I hit. The racquet felt pretty powerful, but not too much. Really can't say anything else. Hope to hit tomorrow night.
Damn!!

Took my new toy out for a spin tonight. Sized down, and it took a little getting used to. But no problem, and my forehand was really improved from normal. It's not really much of a transition from my APDGT. Like it a lot. Going to have to try it in a social match Friday night to see how I like it under match conditions.

Still questioning about whether I should have gone with 4 3/8, but the 4 1/4 with Gamma Supreme over grip didn't cause me any arm issues. Just love the aesthetics on this racquet.

Dg. Yes, the Pd performed wonderfully, however the user only performed very well. I was pleased. It was just a small local tournament but made it to the semis in doubles and lost to the team that won the finals. And made it to the quarters in singles and lost to the guy who ended up winning the finnals. No complaints about the racquet at all! I am finally confident that I have the one for me, and for the first time in a while I have no desire to even look at others. I'm loving the alu power by the way.

JACK, I think you will find the new Pd to be good in All areas. I no longer consider it just as a baseline basher power racquet.

The guy at the shop (Davis cup and atp stringer) told me the warrior would be a step back and the rebel too much players racket.
These frames are all a bit heavier 10 grams and that would give me plough through more with more a tweener frame.
The Pacific is for reference.

I would agree with Jack regarding the Prestige S. I also found it very underpowered. I don't recall any posts from anyone that really enjoyed the Prestige S. I'm also anxious to try the Rebel 98, but hesitant because I'm playing so well with the PD. I recently tried the Head YT/IG Radical Pro. It seems to get fairly positive reviews. Definitely more of a "players stick," with an open pattern. Problem for me was the higher SW at my age.

The guy at the shop (Davis cup and atp stringer) told me the warrior would be a step back and the rebel too much players racket.
These frames are all a bit heavier 10 grams and that would give me plough through more with more a tweener frame.
The Pacific is for reference.

Click to expand...

The Warrior is not a "step back" for anybody and could be used by ATP Pros just like the PD or APD. The Rebel 98 is not too much a "players frame" but is SLIGHTLY harder to use than the Warrior, but anyone 4.0 and up would be comfortable with it. This guy at your shop is not giving you the most accurate advice IMO.

The Warrior is not a "step back" for anybody and could be used by ATP Pros just like the PD or APD. The Rebel 98 is not too much a "players frame" but is SLIGHTLY harder to use than the Warrior, but anyone 4.0 and up would be comfortable with it. This guy at your shop is not giving you the most accurate advice IMO.

Click to expand...

^^^^agree.
Love the Rebel 98 as well. I've been wanting to keep it with my PD2012s just to have. But I really don't see the need since I am totally at ease with the PD now. I may part with it if anyone is interested. I will probably be listing it in the classifieds today. email me, bcornwell@farvc.org if interested.